US says 2 more C-130s to be delivered in 2016

MANILA, – United States Ambassador Philip Goldberg on Monday said there are two C-130 planes anticipated to be delivered in the country in the first quarter of 2016.

“We help support Philippine modernization through excess defense articles, there are two more C-130s in the pipeline,” Goldberg said during the turnover and commissioning of eight brand new Bell-412EPs and two attack versions of AgustaWestland AW-109E.

Goldberg added that US government also supports the Philippine military modernization through its foreign military funding which was pegged at $50 million in 2014.

With the anticipated mission-ready C-130s from the US, the Philippine Air Force will expand its number and capacity of existing medium lift aircraft.

There will be five mission-ready C-130s by 2016 with a total budget projected at about $55 million.

During the aftermath of super typhoon “Yolanda” or “Haiyan” in November 2013, the C-130 was used during the rescue and operation efforts, moving numbers of people and delivering humanitarian relief supplies to affected areas.

The aircraft is designed to provide significant airlift capabilities to remote under-developed airfields.

The United States Marine Corps Lockheed KC-130T Hercules 163022 (QH-022) medium lift aircraft before accepting the offer of the US government. It will be refurbished together with the other aircraft prior to delivery to the Philippine Air Force.